Ulster Hockey's 2009-2013 Strategic Plan, available to download here, defines its Vision Statement and the Key Objectives to be delivered on during the plan's lifetime.   These are detailed below.

Vision Statement

 By 2013 Hockey in Ulster will be recognised as a modern and dynamic sport which offers lifelong opportunities for more people to get involved and for the best to excel.  Within the Strategic Plan the Vision for hockey has been broken down into a series of (mini) visions for each of the priority investment areas detailed. Together they provide a more detailed insight into the challenges that the sport needs to address.

 
Key Objectives


1.       MODERNISATION - developing a “Fit for Purpose” Governing body

Vision: Ulster Hockey recognised by all stakeholders and members as a modern, dynamic and fit-for-purpose sporting organisation.

Summary of Modernisation objectives for 2009 - 2013: 

• To oversee the amalgamation of the Men’s and Women’s Branches into a combined men’s and women’s Ulster Branch.
• To ensure that Ulster Hockey has in place good governance structures and controls supported through the correct mix of skills and competencies of board members and staff, with transparency in processes and clarity in roles, relationships and responsibilities.
• To improve communications between Ulster Hockey and its members and stakeholders.
• To ensure that the operations of Ulster Hockey comply with recognised standards in respect of Equality, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and Anti Doping.
• To develop a sound synergy between the IHA and Ulster Hockey and ensure that the interests of Ulster Hockey are adequately addressed through IHA decision making processes at all levels.

 
2.       PARTICIPATION DEVELOPMENT - growing sustained participation structures in the sport

Vision: More people enjoying hockey in more places, more often.

Summary of main Participation development objectives:

• To draw up a clear pathway and syllabus for hockey skills development within mini-hockey, junior club and schools settings 
• To increase through targeted support the number of clubs and schools offering mini-hockey programmes
• To support and augment the development of hockey in schools and clubs through age appropriate competition and coaching programmes
• To develop and deliver a new club development programme to help member clubs consolidate and further develop their programmes of activity
• To improve the range of opportunities for people to play hockey through partnership working.

3.       TALENT IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT – the development of clear systems and structures within governing bodies for the identification, confirmation and development of talent

Vision: Having a quality based player pathway system in place, which all talented players aspire to, attracting the committed support of clubs, teachers and sponsors and the envy of other sports. 

Summary of Talent identification and development objectives:

Goal: To raise the current player development and performance standards through improving overall coordination and integration of the Hockey player pathway, including support services and appropriate competitive opportunities.

• To review and improve methods for identifying talent and incorporate these into the Player Pathway.
• To further develop the RDS programme by providing a seamless link with the U16 Provincial squads, coach development programmes and incorporation of the Irish U15 programme.
• To improve the player pathway (U16; U18; U21 and Senior – known as the Performance Squads) through a coordinated and integrated approach to the programming and planning of activities undertaken at each stage of the pathway.
• To recruit appropriate coaches / managers to deliver and support the player pathway and performance squads.
• To provide a competitive opportunity for a junior (U21 and below) Performance squad, outside of inter provincial competition, on a yearly basis.
• To provide additional development support for most-talented U16 and U18 hockey players in Ulster.
• To optimise the development of talented school players by ensuring that their training and competition elements are properly managed.

4.       HIGH PERFORMANCE ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

Vision: Ulster Hockey – helping the best to become better and achieve at the elite level!

Aim:  To develop a bespoke high performance Hockey culture within Ulster which measurably raises our performance standards at Club, Provincial and International level by 2013.

Summary of High Performance Objectives:

• To consolidate the full time role of High Performance Manager with responsibility for the Performance player pathway in Ulster Hockey
• To ensure that the training and development needs of Ulster players in the respective Ireland Senior Training Panels are catered for under the Support to Major Games Programmes at the Sports Institute Northern Ireland
• To create and operate an Ulster Academy to service the ongoing development needs of leading players in Ulster.

5.       COACHING DEVELOPMENT

“Behind every World-Class athlete is a World-Class coaches pathway”

The overall objective for Ulster Hockey is “to raise standards” with coaching an integral component in achieving this objective.

Summary of Coaching Development objectives:

• Ensure an effective Coaching Committee.
• Organise and deliver National Coaching Awards.
• Increase the number of tutors with emphasis on those at Level 2 & 3.
• Raise the quality of coaching.
• To address coaches CDP needs through the establishment of a mentoring system.
• Review and upgrade coaches’ database.

Input 

This Strategic plan is for the whole of Ulster Hockey.  To achieve the vision(s) and targets it will require considerable involvement of Schools and Clubs.  It will also require the support of key partner organisations including the Irish Hockey Association, Sport Northern Ireland, the Sports Institute Northern Ireland, Local Authorities and Facility providers.

Through a clear direction, a clear and communicated plan, co-ordinated activity and co-operation across the whole of Ulster Hockey we can take advantage of these opportunities to increase the quality and quantity of hockey throughout Ulster.

Ulster Hockey also produces an Annual Plan which identifies all achievements and development within Ulster Hockey for the 2009-2010 playing season.  Click on the link below to download a copy of the Ulster Hockey Annual Plan.

Ulster Hockey Union Annual Plan 2009-2010